Common Eye Problems in Dogs and How to Treat Them
These Interactive Toys Sharpen Your Dog's Problem-solving Skills While Rewarding Them With Treats
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A decade ago, when I was a dog lover working to become a professional dog trainer, a friend gifted me the Nina Ottosson Dog Casino toy. "My dog can't figure it out," she told me. "Maybe you can use it."
Inside the box was a blue plastic tray with drawers tucked into its sides. White bone shapes anchored to the top of the tray had to be moved in order for its corresponding drawer to open, revealing treats hidden inside.
I experimented on little Roo first. He sidled up to the toy, sniffing for the treats hidden in its drawers. I left the dog bones loose to start, making the game a little less complex until he got the hang of it. Half-an-hour later, Roo was moving bones and opening drawers like a champ.
The brightly colored puzzle toys are quite sturdy. Outward HoundIf Roo could work through the Dog Casino in under an hour, what could Bentley, the smartest dog I knew, do? Watching the Australian Cattle Dog figure out how to approach and solve the problem at hand was 10 minutes of pure joy.
Not everyone excelled at the game, which Outward Hound scores a level 3 out of 3. Scully ran around the tray pawing and whining. Within two minutes she had given up. Charlie sniffed it twice, then returned to the couch. But I was hooked. Enrichment had taken on a whole new dimension.
These dog puzzle toys are used for enrichment. The term refers to the activities and objects that provide mental stimulation and encourage a captive or domesticated animal to tap into the natural behaviors they (or their ancestors) would practice in the wild. For dogs, toys that promote scavenging, foraging, and problem-solving, as well as novel sights, scents, and experiences are considered enrichment.
Sold in three different skill levels — Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 — each Nina Ottosson puzzle requires a dog to problem-solve in order to earn a food reward. The Dog Tornado, for example, has four layers of bone-shaped trays that can be stocked with treats. To release it, the dog must rotate each layer.
The Dog Tornado has four layers of bone-shaped trays that can be stocked with treats. Outward HoundNina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toys are made of high-quality plastic or composite wood-plastic. Even though my Dog Casino regularly earned the scars left by hard-thinking doggy teeth and paws, it never succumbed to a serious injury. The toys are sturdily made. Fill their drawers and nooks with soft food or peanut butter, and they can even be frozen.
I recently traded another trainer my much-loved Dog Casino for the Dog Twister, another Level 3 Nina Ottosson toy where the dog must move blocks around a round tray to locate the treats. For extra complexity, the blocks can be locked with pegs that the dog has to paw open before moving a block.
I introduced the Dog Twister to Ripley soon after. Not the most confident dog on the block, Ripley was uncertain. She considered the toy, sniffed it, retrieved a treat I uncovered for her and then sat staring at the humans like we'd set the whole thing up as an elaborate trick. Maybe she'll get the hang of it in time...
The Dog Twister is one of Outward Hound's more difficult interactive toys. Nina OttossonThat's the way it goes with the Outward Hound's Nina Ottosson toys. Some dogs excel, others — usually less confident dogs or dogs whose intelligence may not be geared toward complex problem-solving — become confused and quickly give up. If the puzzles aren't a great fit for your dog, there are other options for play and stimulation including the Kong Classic or chew toys.
For those dogs that figure out Level 2 and Level 3 puzzle toys in short order, there's a different problem. Once they know how to solve the puzzle, they do it quickly and unceremoniously. The less of a challenge it presents, the less enriching it becomes over time. If only there were a puzzle toy library for exchanging Nina Ottosson Interactive Toys so boredom would never be an issue.
My only other issue with the toys is in the cleaning department. Though the material is easy to clean, with their rotating pieces and drawers, the puzzles are a challenge to scour properly and, once washed, never seem to completely dry out.
The bottom lineI love Outward Hound's Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toys for the enrichment they provide, but they are not for every dog. Those with drive and confidence will love these puzzles — at least until they've conquered them over and over. Those who are timid or unmotivated probably won't quite know what to do. For a smarty-pants dog, these toys are a win, but it's worth making an investment in several models (from $10 to $25 per toy) and rotating them to keep the puzzles novel for as long as possible.
Pros: Provides a high level of enrichment and mental stimulation, sturdy and made of high-quality materials, 10 models with different levels of difficulty
Cons: Timid or less motivated dogs may not be interested, difficult to clean, sharp dogs may become bored with them once the puzzle has been solved several times
This Interactive Treat Dispensing Toy Keeps Dogs Engaged For Hours & It's Just $12
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We're all about pampering our furry best friends, whether it's with cozy spots to relax or cool toys to have a blast with. And speaking of toys, there's a must-have treat toy on Amazon for dogs who need a bit of mental stimulation and physical activity. But the best part may be that it's just under $12 on Amazon.
Outward Hound by Planet Dog's multiple award-winning Orbee-Tuff Snoop challenges your dog in fun and stimulating ways and can be used for fetch-and-toss play, chewing, or treat-stuffing interactive play. The Snoop is translucent and squishy with a deep crevice that conceals the treats. Just pop the top open, fill the toy with treats, and pop the dispenser top back in before playing with your pup. Plus, the five-inch Snoop treat dispenser dog toy is infused with mint oil to keep your pup's breath fresh.
Related story Anthropologie's Early Spring Sale Has Tons of New Seasonal Goodies for an Extra 50% Off — Score Dresses, Kitchenware & MoreThis interactive dog puzzle toy is great for bored pups who need a rewarding brain teaser or to encourage slower eating habits in fast eaters. Cleaning is simple and fast. Just fill the ball with warm water and gentle soap, shake, rinse out, and air dry. Made from materials that are BPA-, lead-, and phthalate-free, this dog toy is durable yet flexible to ensure long-lasting fun.
Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog ToyTreat stuffers are interactive toys to keep pups engaged as they sniff, paw, and play to retrieve treat rewards. These mentally stimulating toys are intended for supervised play, however, and are not suitable for aggressive chewers.
"I have two border collies and they love this toy!" one dog parent raved in their Amazon review. "I bought this along with the yellow nook that can go inside, and I place treats in the toy then put the nook in. My dogs are smart and this takes them a while to get the treats out they also just love to play with it without treats. My dogs also usually destroy the toys we buy and so far this toy seems to be pretty indestructible."
Another pet parent wrote, "I saw this product mentioned by a dog trainer who uses it for mentally stimulating her dogs on inclement weather days. I bought it during a long stretch of winter weather when we were stuck inside. My three dogs all love it … I love it because it is quiet on my hardwood floors!!! It is very soft and has a strong but pleasant mint aroma. Easy to use. Wish I would've had this when my dogs were puppies."
Grab the Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop toy while it's marked down to see if your dog loves it as much as others do!
Before you go, check out our slideshow below:
Dog Parents Call This Interactive 'Giggle Ball' An 'Awesome Enrichment Toy' & 'Crazy Fun' For Pups Of All Ages
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If your dog can't get enough playtime during the day, then you're probably looking for a toy that keeps them engaged and entertained for as long as possible. Well, you just found it! This "giggling" ball has rave reviews on Amazon because pet parents say their dogs can't get enough of it. It wobbles, it makes the funniest sound, and it lives up to your pup's playtime expectations. Plus, it's only $15!
The Wobble Wag Giggle Ball is one of those dog balls that moves in an unexpected pattern, so your dog won't know where it's going next. And with each roll, it makes a giggle sound caused by an interior tube noisemaker. It also comes with four pockets in the ball, making it easy for your dog to pick it up and take it with them, no matter how big or small they are. You can even get one that glows in the dark so your pup can play with it at night (and you can easily see it and avoid stepping on it on your way to the bathroom!).
Related story Anthropologie's Early Spring Sale Has Tons of New Seasonal Goodies for an Extra 50% Off — Score Dresses, Kitchenware & MoreAnd according to pet parents, dogs of all ages love this toy — it's loud, a little obnoxious, and totally addicting.
Wobble Wag Giggle Ball"Awesome enrichment toy!" one pet parent wrote, noting that the toy is both "durable and entertaining." "We have heavy chewers/squeaker poppers and this toy is too big to chew on but moves easily on the floor and makes noises."
"This ball is crazy fun for my Lab puppy," another person wrote. "He spends a lot of time chasing it around and it makes sounds as it moves. He was a little scared of the sound at first but got used to it quickly. It is his favorite toy. It is sturdy and hard plastic but has indents around it for his mouth to grab it."
And another person joked, "They are loud, they are obnoxious, and they are some of the best durable dog toys that I have found. I would give these 100/10 if I could. My dog loves to chase these around, carry them in her mouth, and play soccer with them as she carries a second toy in her mouth. And they keep her busy and out of trouble. They are simply amazing!"
Pick up a Wobble Wag Giggle Ball for your dog and watch him play, and play, and play. This toy may just be the best invention for dogs ever!
Before you go, check out our slideshow below:
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